Seeking Community Input on Overcrowding Solution at MPS Elementary Schools

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Earlier this week, the Medford School Committee signaled their support to create a task force that will study the feasibility of a plan to address the overcrowding at our Elementary Schools. Since I began the role as Interim Superintendent last winter, the overcrowding and a lack of space in our elementary schools has been a concern heard from educators, caregivers, and building leaders across the district.

This task force, to be established in January 2026, will study and review the feasibility of a plan that would move all 5th & 6th graders in the district to the McGlynn Middle School and all 7th & 8th graders to the Andrews Middle School. Under this plan (that will be studied further), our elementary and middle schools would look like:

• All Elementary Schools become Grades K - 4
• McGlynn Middle School serves all of Grades 5 & 6
• Andrews Middle School serves all of Grades 7 & 8

Please note that if the Task Force recommends that this plan is possible, the earliest potential start of this plan would be for the 2027/28 school year.

The Medford School Committee would like to hear from you before they formally vote to study the viability of this plan. It was created following recommendations shared by HMFH Architects, who engaged in a space study of all our elementary and middle schools. The scope of HMFH’s work, their other potential solutions to address the overcrowding at our elementary schools, and MPS Central Administration's reasons for favoring further review for this plan can be found HERE in a presentation I shared during Monday’s School Committee Meeting. For the full video of the presentation, please Visit Here. 

What Comes Next  

• We are seeking input from the community for topics the task force should focus on as they study this plan further. Input can be submitted via this Google Form or by public comment at the December 1, 2025 Meeting of the Medford School Committee beginning at 6 p.m. The School Committee intends to vote to approve the recommendation and scope for the task force at this meeting.
• The Task Force will be formed in January, 2026 and composed of educators, administrators, and caregivers. A Task Force Interest Survey will be shared in the New Year.  
• In Spring of 2026, the Task Force will share their thoughts on any viability concerns and the implementation plan, if possible, for the 27/28 school year to the Medford School Committee.
• The task force will continue to meet throughout the 26/27 school year to help guide the planning process.  

If the plan is found to be viable, the earliest potential start of this plan would be for the 2027/28 school year. This timeline allows for thoughtful and comprehensive preparation & planning.

Thank you for your input and collaboration in this important work as we strive to support our Medford students, families, staff, and community members. 

Sincerely,

Suzanne B. Galusi, Interim Superintendent of Medford Public Schools